Morning Hits: Message to GMs, Gaborik, Kings, Leafs and Couturier
  • Ryan Rishaug: “All GM’s.. Am told by league that commenting publicly on ufa players will not be considered tampering during this period. So no dodging.”
  • Chris Johnston: Marian Gaborik’s new contract with the the Kings doesn’t include a no-trade clause.
  • Chris Johnston: The Kings are the only team that doesn’t have a player with a no-trade or no-movement clause.
  • Greg Beacham: Marian Gaborik: “I know I could get maybe more money if I’d gone to free agency, but it wasn’t about money. I wanted to be part of a great team.”
  • Darren Dreger: The Maple Leafs have talked to Tony Granato already and will do so again. They hope to make a decision on their vacant assistant coaches positions this week.
  • Randy Miller of NJ.com: Flyers Sean Couturier had abdominal surgery earlier this month as well as surgery on this ankle.

    “I had to get something removed … a bump on my ankle that was just bothering me,” Couturier told NJ.com. “It’s been a week. I can start walking again. It’s just from the stiches they don’t want me to put pressure so it opens up again, but it doesn’t hurt. It’s nothing serious.”